Homemade Food For Belgian Malinois: Tips For Providing a Nutritious Diet at Home

The Belgian Malinois is one of the finest working breeds and a fabulous family companion. One look at them, and you’ll come across a well-muscled, strong, and elegant breed with prominent physical features.

Speaking of their energy levels, they are an active breed and require immense physical and mental stimulation. It means that one has to take special care of their diet. Like all breeds, the Belgian Malinois also requires good quality dry dog food that meets all its nutritional requirements well. Now comes the most important question – what should you feed them?

Is giving your dog homemade food okay, or should you only confine it to food bought from a store?

The debate over homemade vs. store-bought diets is an ongoing and never-ending one. If you’ve zeroed in on giving your dog a homemade diet, you need to know the pros and cons of the same. Read on to know more.

Belgian Malinois Homemade Dog Food Benefits

There have been a lot of contradictions regarding the benefits of homemade foods over commercially manufactured ones and vice-versa. Let us look at some of the points below to note how useful homemade food can be for dogs.

1. Your Dog Gets To Eat Fresh Food

Another benefit of putting your Belgian Malinois on a homemade diet is that it will not just soothe his taste buds but also benefit his tummy. The veggies and meat are straight from the market, so there is no question of the food going bad or stale.

2. It Makes Meal Time Interesting

You can give new flavors daily so your dog doesn’t find his food monotonous. When he eats the same kibble repeatedly, he could lose interest in food and become a fussy eater.

If you have a picky eater at home who isn’t interested in his kibble, you could try shifting to a homemade diet. However, do this after you have had a word with the vet.

3. No Preservatives

One of the biggest advantages of homemade food is that it lacks preservatives, responsible for several serious health problems in dogs. It’s true that you cannot store homemade foods, unlike commercially manufactured ones. Yet, it saves your dog from health issues such as digestive disorders, skin and coat problems, inconsistent bowel movements, and so on. These conditions could affect your dog if it eats food containing preservatives.

4. Minimizes Chances of Allergic Reactions in Dogs

Your dog could be allergic to several basic ingredients. If that’s the case, try not to include it in your dog’s diet. That’ll save your dog from an allergy attack.

The Final Take

Research shows that dogs that feed on fresh food live longer than those that don’t. They have a lifespan of around 20% longer than canines that do not consume fresh food.

Another study mentions that dogs on a homemade diet live for around 13.1 years. In contrast, dogs on a commercialized diet live for 10.4 years on average. When you give your dogs a combination of kibble and homemade food, the dog may live for approximately 11.4 years.

Purdue University conducted a study. It stated that dogs with 25% of leafy greens or frozen-dried food might have a 90% less risk of cancer.

Belgian Malinois Homemade Dog Food Risks

True that we have learned the benefits of homemade food for Belgian Malinois. But we have to consider the flipside of homemade dog foods as well. Let’s look at the risks associated with giving homemade food to the Belgian Malinois.

1. Lack of Proper Nutrients

One of the biggest drawbacks of homemade food is that they do not have all the nutrients canines need. Hence it will not guarantee a balanced diet in dogs. For example, suppose you are giving your dog a rice and chicken diet. In that case, you are taking care of his calorie, protein, and fat intake. But, the other nutritional aspects should also be addressed.

When cooking at home, a single meal will only fulfill some of your dog’s nutritional requirements. So, keep alternating your recipes so your dog isn’t deprived of a balanced diet in the long run. Remember, your dog will need a proper proportion of fat, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, and other essential nutrients to remain healthy.

2. Inadequate/Improper Recipes

Another risk of giving a Belgian Malinois homemade food is that you may give the wrong recipe. This may trigger several health problems for your dog. The internet is flooded with a lot of recipes. Not all of them would suit your dog’s body.

Before adding or introducing a new ingredient to your dog’s food, getting in touch with a vet is always advisable. Refrain from experimenting. Ensure you put in the right amount of ingredients – neither too much nor too less.

3. Isn’t Specific To The Dog’s Need

When it comes to store-bought food they are designed as per the different stages of a dog’s life. E.g., puppies will need more fat and proteins than their senior counterparts. When you are cooking at home, it is challenging to maintain these specifications.

One dog varies from the other when it comes to its overall health. Some may be more prone to obesity, a few might have a sensitive stomach, while some may be high on allergies. When you give your dog a homemade diet, it may not be able to provide a perfect diet to manage the underlying medical conditions. It could be easily achieved with commercially manufactured foods.

The Final Take

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine conducted a study that showed that most homemade foods lacked all the essential nutrients needed for a dog’s overall well-being.

Another study in the Journal of Nutritional Science showed that around 48% of homemade food had an inappropriate measurement of ingredients. The study added that 71% of the owners needed to be made aware of the amount to be served for each meal.

Best Belgian Malinois Homemade Dog Food Recipes

When making food for your dog at home, be careful about the ingredients that you include. Here are some probable recipes to consider while giving your Belgian Malinois a homemade diet. However, ensure you know which food your dog is allergic to and other health problems it has before preparing a homemade diet. It’s advisable to discuss your dog’s recipes with a vet.

1. Ground Beef And Veggies

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef (1 lb)
• Brown rice (⅓ cup)
• Green beans (1 cup)
• Chopped sweet potato (⅓ cup)
• Chopped carrot (⅓ cup)
• Chopped celery (⅓ cup)

Directions

• Take water and rice in a container. The proportion of water must be twice that of the rice. Boil the ingredients and simmer for around 45 minutes. It takes longer to cook the brown rice than white rice. You can also look at the packaging and follow the instructions to cook brown rice.
• Cook the beef using a big skillet, and make sure that the heat is kept at medium.
• Include the veggies and cooked rice in the skillet along with the beef.
• Cook at low heat for another 15 minutes.
• Remember to stir in between so that all the ingredients get distributed evenly.
• Use an airtight container to store the leftovers. You can refrigerate them for 3 to 5 days. They’ll stay for around three months if you decide to freeze them.

Note: You could alter the recipe as per your dog’s requirements. For example, venison or chicken can substitute the beef. You may even include veggies like squash, pea, blueberry, and broccoli if your dog is okay.

2. Veggies And Rice

Ingredients

• Brown rice (⅓ cup)
• Chopped sweet potato (⅓)
• Chopped carrots (⅓)
• Chopped celery (⅓)

Directions

• Soak rice and water overnight. Then boil and finally simmer for about 45 minutes.
• When the rice has boiled, add the veggies to that container and cook on low heat for around 20 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, but let the contents be in the container for another 30 minutes before you open the same.
• You have a tasty meal ready for your dog

What Foods Should Your Belgian Malinois Never Eat?

There are a lot of foods that are okay for humans but dangerous for dogs. You should never give such food to your dog. Else, it may lead to severe health problems in the future. Check out the list below for certain foods your Belgian Malinois should never eat. Make sure you don’t add them to your dog’s kibble.

1. Chocolate

Chocolate is considered toxic to dogs since it contains the chemical theobromine. It produces harmful effects in dogs when ingested. Baking chocolates and dark chocolates have a higher concentration of theobromine.

In milk chocolates, theobromine is comparatively less. Theobromine affects the nervous system and heart of dogs. It results in symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. It could even lead to death when eaten in large amounts.

White chocolate doesn’t have theobromine, it isn’t safe for dogs. It’s because it is high in fat, and sugar which isn’t a safe option for your pet.

2. Coffee And Other Caffeinated Products

Caffeine harms dogs and may increase your dog’s heart rate and blood pressure. Dogs could become restless when they ingest caffeine. So, the next time you leave the breakfast table, keep your tea or coffee cup away to prevent your dog from having the leftovers.

3. Onion And Garlic

Garlic and onion contain thiosulfate, which may cause toxic effects on dogs. In extreme cases, it attacks the red blood cells and results in hemolytic anemia. Even a small amount of garlic and onion isn’t good for dogs. Your dog could show symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and breathing difficulty if it consumes large quantities of it.

4. Nuts

Not all nuts are harmful to dogs. Some, like macadamia nuts, black walnuts, and pistachios, are toxic to canines. However, ensure not to food your dogs too many nuts, even those that are safe for them. It could result in obesity and problems with the pancreas.

5. Uncooked Meat

Raw food is gaining popularity over time. Yet, it is still better to avoid giving your dog uncooked meat since it can contain bacteria and other germs. If it gets into your dog’s system, it could lead to harmful consequences.

6. Alcohol

Even the slightest alcohol can lead to serious problems in dogs, like vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, etc. So, if you’ve had a party at home, clear away all the glasses and bottles before your dog gets at them.

7. Avocado

Avocado isn’t recommended for dogs. Vets mention that dogs are more resistant to avocados than other pets. A toxin named persin in avocados can cause harmful effects in dogs when they eat a lot of it.

8. Foods Sweetened With Xylitol

Xylitol is contained in chewing gum, baked items, cough syrups, OTC medicines, etc. If your dog ingests a product containing xylitol, he may be severely affected. It could cause a drastic decrease in your dog’s sugar levels and may even prove fatal for your canine.

Besides the one explained in detail, there are other things too that your dog shouldn’t eat like:

• Raisins
• Grapes
• Milk and other dairy products
• Raw eggs
• Raw meat
• Yeast dough
• Tea
• Seeds of fruits like plums, persimmons, and peaches
• Potato chips
• Salty foods
• Foods high in fibers, preservatives, and artificial coloring

9. Cooked Bones

Never give your dog cooked bones. It can cause choking hazards or internal injuries to your dog’s digestive system.

Why Choose Homemade Dog Food For Belgian Malinois?

If your dog is reluctant to eat kibble, try shifting to a homemade diet. Your Belgian Malinois will need a balanced proportion of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy.

When you’ve planned a homemade diet for your dog, he is at an advantage since he gets fresh food daily. You will even be free to experiment with the ingredients and cook a new meal for him daily. For example, it could be brown rice and chicken today, rice and veggies tomorrow, cooked eggs the day after, and so on.

Another advantage of homemade food is its budget-friendliness. Store-bought food costs a fortune, but that isn’t the case when you purchase and cook the ingredients at home.

FAQ’s

Conclusion

A homemade diet will work if you ensure your dog gets all the essential nutrients to keep him healthy. Combining kibble and homemade food would be a good option. However, any change in your dog’s diet should only be done after consulting a vet.

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